February 18, 2011
NEW YORK – The Giants weren’t issue free at the running back position in 2010. In fact, it seems like each area had their own problems to deal with and the culmination of all of these seperate group issues lead to the disappointing absence of a playoff berth. Still, the injury bug was a black widow and decimated the team like a virus. We’ve discussed the lack of depth that was exposed due to all of the injuries and tried to put together a decent team to field with spare parts. I mean no disrespect to the backup players but there was clearly a decline in productivity on the field that could not be ignored.
I doubt that the team will suffer the same cruel fate in 2011, because I expect the front office to make the hard choices and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Still, the running back situation could turn into one big headache for GM Jerry Reese. Fans have even talked about using the 1st round pick in this years NFL draft on a running back. That is something I have not heard in a very long time. I do not agree with grabbing a RB in round one, as you all know very well. I still say the team should take a LB or OL/C in round one.
Another issue is the fact that Ahmad Bradshaw is a free agent this year and re-signing him must be one of the biggest moves the team will face in 2011. In total, there will be 21 free agents the Giants will need to look at. There is always room for improvement but at what price? Do you let a star go in order to gain a star? There are no guarantees in football and an injury could everything in a moment. There will be a bunch of free agents available this year and fans are still holding their collective breath that there will not be a lock out due to the CBA talks. This is a crazy time to be an NFL fan.
Let’s take a look at the running back position as of today 2-18-11.
1. Brandon Jacobs, 6’4″ 264 pounds – Brandon the Bull had a decent 2010 season but it wasn’t great. He finished second on the team in rushing with 823 yards and 9 TD’s. He also caught 7 passes for 59 yards. Jacobs started last season behind Ahmad Bradshaw on the depth chart and it seemed to be working out fine and keeping him fresh but by the end of the season Jacobs was again the starting RB. Fans have been vocal about their displeasure with him but I still believe in Jacobs and hope he can rebound in 2011. The team needs him to be the bull we all know he can be.
2. Ahmad Bradshaw, 5’9″ 198 pounds – Bradshaw had a good 2010 season finishing first on the team in rushing with 1,235 yards and 8 TD’s. He also had 7 fumbles which cost him his starting role by the end of the year. Ahmad is a dynamic RB that can do a lot of great things on the field but he will not be on the field if he can’t correct the fumble issue. Coach Coughlin has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to turnovers and specifically, fumbles. There is no doubt that Bradshaw is a playmaker and someone you want on your team. Hopefully, the team re-signs him this offseason and he gets the opportunity to make good in 2011.
3. DJ Ware, 6’0″ 234 pounds – Ware missed half the season due to injuries and had less then 30 yards on his carries. I’m not sure how much longer his luck can hold out with Big Blue. The team has only so many roster spots and they need more depth at most offensive positions. Something tells me that Ware has been given ample time to prove himself on the field but the guy can’t seem to stay healthy. He was mostly productive as a kick returner but there is no guarantee that will be enough to warrant a locker.
4. Madison Hedgecock (Fullback), 6’3″ 266 pounds – Hedgecock is a fan favorite and a player that was sorely missed when he went down with a season ending injury at the beginning of the 2010 season. Hopefully, he will be back to his bruising self in 2011 and leading the way for the Giants RB’s. The Giants suffered so many key injuries in 2010 that it seems like all I am doing here is a bloated injury report.
5. Darius Reynaud, 5’9″ 201 pounds – Reynaud was brought in as a return specialist once the team realized that Domenik Hixon would be out for the season. He did a fair job but never won over the fans or the coaches. The team confirmed their distrust by bringing in another returner in Will Blackmon who had an equally shaky season and is no longer on the team. I’m not sure if Reynaud will be on the team in 2011.
6. Charles Scott, 5’11” 238 pounds – Scott is on the reserve future list and someone who was brought in for depth. I have no idea what to expect from this guy in 2011 or if he will even be on the team. I hope the guy turns out to be great and adds depth to the Big Blue RB’s but I just don’t know.
7. Martell Mallett, 6’0″ 207 pounds – Mallett was brought in to the team for the same reason as Scott. Again, I have no idea what to expect from this guy and do not know if he will be on the team in 2011.
What would you do about the Giants running back situation in 2011?
RD – nygreporter.com
Please support the Eric LeGrand walk this June 4, 2011! Check it out at http://www.awalktobelieve.org
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2011 Fantasy Football, 2011 New York Giants, 2011 NFL Draft, 2011 NFL Regular Season, 2011 NFL Training Camp, Big Blue, Chris Mara, East Rutherford, Eli Manning, G-Men, Giants, Giants Coaches, Giants Draft, Giants Front Office, Giants History, Giants Injuries, Giants Roster, Giants Stadium, Giants Training Camp, Giants Transactions, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Jonathan Tisch, Justin Tuck, Kevin Gilbride, New Jersey, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL New York Giants, NY Giants, NYG, NYG Blog, NYG Draft, NYG Exclusive, NYG Fantasy Football, NYG Regular Season, NYG Reporter, NYG Story, NYG Training Camp, NYG Website, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Steve Tisch, Tom Coughlin, Tom Quinn | Tagged: 2010 New York Giants, 2011 draft giants pick, 2011 Giants Draft, 2011 Giants draft order, 2011 New York Giants, 2011 New York Giants Draft, 2011 NFL Draft, 2011 nfl draft order, 2011 NFL Draft Prospects, 2011 NFL Training Camp, 2011 nyg draft, Ahmad Bradshaw, Big Blue, blogs giants, blogs nyg, Brandon Jacobs, Charles Scott, darius reynaud, DJ Ware, Eli Manning, Football, football giants blog, G-Men, giants blog, Giants Stadium, giants website, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Kevin Gilbride, Madison Hedgecock, Martell Mallett, National Football League, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, New York Giants blog, New York Giants blogs, New York Giants Website, NFC, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, ny giants 2011 draft, ny giants blog, ny giants blogs, ny giants draft 2011, ny giants website, NYG, nyg blog, nyg blogs, NYG Reporter, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Players, Prospects, Steve Tisch, Tim Mara, Tom Coughlin, website ny giants, website nyg | 
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Posted by robdomaine
February 16, 2011
NEW YORK – The New York Giants wide receiver group is one of the bright spots on the team. Along with being one of the bright spots of the team, it could also become a headache for the team. The reason is simple and it is the same question the team must answer every single year. Which six WR’s will be on the roster at the beginning of the season. The G-Men are solid with the starters that include WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Steve Smith and WR Mario Manningham. Those three guys will be on the team for sure. The problems begin to arise after the three starters. In a pool of talented young WR’s, who the heck do you keep on the team?
I expect a lot of people to have their own opinions about this subject and I respect them all. I can only give my perspective on what the Giants will do and who deserves to remain on the teams final roster. I expect one or two will end up on the practice squad if they cannot find employment elsewhere. The one thing that is blatantly clear to me now, is the fact that the New York Giants receivers are big guys. Not one of them are below 5’11” and the tallest guy is a whopping 6’6″. Sinorice Moss is no longer with the team and now the chatter has begun about bringing back Plaxico Burress. Burress coming back to the Giants is a possibility but highly unlikely. I wouldn’t mind seeing the team give him a league minimum contract for a year or two but I’m not sure how Coughlin wold feel about it.
Things are going to be very interesting for GM Jerry Reese this off season, that is of course assuming there will be a 2011 NFL season after the CBA talks. Recent reports say that the talks are not going very well at all. This is something that has fans ripping their hair out and wondering when the greed will end for an industry that makes about 10 billion dollars a year.
But enough about that, let’s take a look at the wide receivers currently on the New York Giants roster and remember this list could change due to trades or any other transactions in the near future.
2011 New York Giants Wide Receivers as of 2-16-11
1. Hakeem Nicks, 6’1″ 215 pounds – Nicks has separated himself from the pack to become the No.1 WR for Big Blue. If not for a injury in 2010 that caused him to miss three games, he would have made the pro bowl in my opinion. Look for him to make the pro bowl this year if he can stay fully healthy for the entire season. This man is a superstar.
2. Steve Smith, 5’11” 195 pounds – Mr. Smith ended the 2010 NFL season on the IR list and missed a total of seven games. This was a huge blow to the team and something fans do not want to experience again. The team and fans have come to depend on Smith in a big way and things were not the same without him. He is also QB Eli Manning’s favorite safety valve.
3. Mario Manningham, 5’11” 185 pounds – Super Mario has been improving each and every year since he arrived in New York. He put together a very nice 2010 season and finished 2nd on the team for WR’s. He was forced to miss two games due to injury but who hasn’t on the Giants the past two seasons. Manningham is arguably the best No.3 WR in the NFL.
4. Ramses Barden, 6’6″ 227 pounds – Fans are hoping that Barden has grasped the Giants playbook while he was sidelined for thirteen games and finished the year on the IR list. Now all he has to do is perform on the field. This guy was praised as the replacement for Plaxico Burress when he arrived. I think it was more because of his height then his talent. That is a lot of pressure to put on a rookie and he didn’t deserve it. Still, the time has come to perform.
5. Domenik Hixon, 6’2″ 182 pounds – Hixon did not play in a single game in 2010 and was put on the IR list (seems like a trend now I bet) during training camp. This really hurt the Giants return game on special teams and also eliminated a big target WR in special passing situations. He will be back in 2011 and the fans will be thankful for that.
6. Victor Cruz, 6’1″ 200 pounds – This kid was lightning in a bottle during the preseason and had fans sitting on the edge of their seats. He is a local kid from Jersey who made the most of his opportunity and landed a roster spot. Unfortunately, he landed on season ending IR list and did not get to shine in the regular season. If the Giants were to cut him, he would be picked up by another team the very same day. He has the aura of a playmaker.
7. Derek Hagan, 6’2″ 215 pounds – After the WR group was clearly decimated by injuries, as you have been reading, the G-Men called on an old friend to come back and help the team out. Hagan did a pretty good job for the seven games he was with the team. He finished 6th on the team at WR, despite not playing for half of the season.
8. Duke Calhoun, 6’4″ 205 pounds – Calhoun played in six games for the Giants but did not get the ball thrown to him very much. Almost not at all actually. He finished with 1 reception for 4 yards in 2010.
9. Michael Clayton, 6’4″ 215 pounds – Clayton was brought in for the same reason Hagan was, the team needed depth at WR. And like Calhoun, Clayton didn’t see the ball but one time for 19 yards.
10. Devin Thomas, 6’2″ 218 pounds – Once again, Thomas is a player that was brought in for depth after the rash of injuries crushed the WR corps.
11. Todd Watkins, 6’3″ 195 pounds- This guy was added to the reserve future list and is a complete question mark.
12. Samuel Giguere, 5’11” 215 pounds – This guy was added to the reserve future list and has seen limited playing time in the NFL.
13. Plaxico Burress, 6’5″ 230 pounds – This is clearly a wild card and something that fans have been talking about recently, now that his release date is close. Reports have come out that say Burress has been working out five days a week and looks in great shape. Will the Giants be persuaded into giving him another shot with the team? I don’t know but I think the man deserves another chance now that he has paid his debt to society.
If you had to pick only six of the above WR’s, who would you keep on the roster?
RD – nygreporter.com
Please support the Eric LeGrand walk this June 4, 2011! Check it out at http://www.awalktobelieve.org
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Posted by robdomaine
February 13, 2011
NEW YORK – Just when you think you have everything figured out, something will surely happen to change the situation quickly. Let’s take a look at some of the immediate issues the Giants are dealing with. The CBA talks, investigating the free agents available, prepping the upcoming NFL draft in April, work current Giants player contract negotiations, evaluate practice squad players, confirm health of players returning from injuries and a few other issues I am leaving out on purpose. It must be exhausting for the front office and especially for GM Jerry Reese.
Where does the research end and the action begin? Well, one of the first actions will occur in about two months at the 2011 NFL Draft. I am going to focus on this topic because it has been getting the most buzz lately. I am going to talk about what top three positions I feel will go in the first three rounds and also discuss some other positions our readers have mentioned. I have to admit that some of my thoughts have changed after speaking to our intelligent readers and listening to their thoughts on this. As always, I am basing the following information on the Giants current roster as of today 2-13-11. Things will change and so will my draft needs assessment for Big Blue come April.
I still believe the team will draft a linebacker or offensive lineman in the first round but I’m not so sure about rounds two or three anymore. The Giants could find themselves in a hole at the defensive tackle position due to free agency. This is a draft that has a ton of talent at the DT position and I would not be surprised if the G-men grabbed one with a top three pick. Throw in the cornerback position and now we have four positions that could be drafted in the first three rounds. Not to mention the tight end and running back position which some readers felt could be drafted in round one also. I could see a RB or TE being drafted easily but I doubt it will be in the first three rounds. There are only three positions that I am almost positive will not be drafted this year and they are safety, defensive end and quarterback. The Giants were pretty balanced last year on offense and defense but the team was atrocious on special teams and a lack of depth was also exposed.
Let’s take a look at my updated mock draft by position for the 2011 NFL Draft. Our readers can expect this list to change a couple of times before the draft but these are my selections as of today 2-13-11.
1. Linebacker
2. Defensive Tackle
3. Offensive Lineman/true Center
4. Cornerback
5. Running Back
6. Offensive Lineman/Tackle
7. Tight End
Feel free to leave your own mock draft by position in the comment area. I’m sure everyone will have their own opinions and we would really like to hear what the Giants fans think.
RD – nygreporter.com
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Posted by robdomaine
February 10, 2011
NEW YORK – There is no denying the fact that the New York Giants are a very talented football team. I have been one of the fans that said the amount of injuries the team had in 2010, seriously effected their play on the field. The Giants placed 16 players on the IR List in 2010. I’m not so sure that argument applies any longer, after seeing the Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl with 15 of their players residing on the IR list. I like to believe the Giants are a deep team but maybe we have all been wrong. After back to back injury plagued seasons, fans have to wonder just how deep the team really is and what coaching changes need to be made in the conditioning department. The Giants went 8-8 in 2009 and 10-6 in 2010 respectively.
Giants GM Jerry Reese is a draft guru and I’m sure that he will be focusing on depth this year. He will certainly address the offensive line (which did an outstanding job in 2010) and get more talent to help out in that area. OL William Beatty, OL Adam Koets and OL Mitch Petrus are three guys who fans might see more of in 2011. He will focus on improving the cornerback position and quite frankly, he should. Why have a defensive coordinator who specializes in DB’s and then not get him at least two more players of his choosing to coach? This seems like a no brainer. I am comfortable with the safeties on the team but the cornerback position seems to need a little depth. CB Terrell Thomas has been outstanding on his side of the field and lead the team in tackles in 2010.
The linebacker position is another area that must be on the team radar. The current linebacker group has a lot of talented players but they certainly don’t have a Lawrence Taylor playing back there. The G-Men need the next LT to be thrown into the mix and lead that group of young men. Fans still need to see how LB Clint Sintim and LB Phillip Dillard work out but bringing in a young veteran “Patrick Willis” type of player should be a priority in my opinion. As crazy as it sounds, the Giants might need to throw another wide receiver into the mix too. It was painful to see WR after WR go down with injuries and I would not want that to happen again in 2011. NFL teams need two No.1 and two No.2 WR’s on the team these days for just that very reason. Every fourth and fifth WR should be able to start as a No.3 on any NFL team. This is an ideal situation for all NFL teams and hopefully something Big Blue can pull off.
The one area of the team that needs the most help is also the only spot on the team that does not have depth. I’m talking about special teams and boy do they need work. P Matt Dodge and K Lawrence Tynes should both be concerned for different reasons. Dodge should be concerned because of his inconsistent rookie season and Tynes might feel the heat of a team needing a change at the kicker position. The return specialists also had their fair share of problems in 2010. Special teams coach Tom Quinn should also be very concerned about his job in my opinion.
Regardless of the injuries or depth issues, the New York Giants have enough talent to make the playoffs. There is no reason why they should have been watching the playoffs on TV this season with their 10-6 record. I will not guarantee anything or jinx the team but I would be shocked if the G-Men were to miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year. If that were to happen, there would be big changes in New York for 2012. What do you think?
RD – nygreporter.com
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Posted by robdomaine
February 5, 2011
NEW YORK – Readers and fans alike have been sending me emails and asking me if I am bitter that the New York Giants missed the playoffs for a second year in a row. My answer is simple, yes I am. But more then being bitter, I am excited about getting the team ready for the 2011 NFL season. A strange thing to say when America is getting ready for the Super Bowl tomorrow night. I will watch the Super Bowl because I love football but my mind will drift away to the G-Men and what they need to do to improve.
Forgive me for not reporting about the Pro Bowl. It doesn’t take much to figure out why I choose not to write very much about that game. For the proverbial record, I will mention that the NFC beat the AFC by the score of 55-41, in another game that was more about vanity then actual competition. Forgive me for my lack of enthusiasm but I long for the day when the NFL puts on an actual game for the fans. I long for a game reminiscent of the famous “secret” basketball game between the 1992 USA olympic Dream Team players. This is widely considered the best basketball game ever played and nobody but the players and a handful of lucky people ever saw it. In fact, the NFL Pro Bowl is the only game that could be compared to that game because it is the only game that uses a collection of the best football players in the country.
Back to the Super Bowl discussion now. I expect this game to be right up there with some of the best to ever be played. The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are two extremely talented teams and match up well on paper. I am still taking the Packers to win a close game. I am basically taking Aaron Rodgers over Ben Rothlisberger. I believe Rodgers will have a better game then Big Ben and the QB position will be the factor that matters the most. I know most of you will say it is the defenses that will win the Championship. I would normally agree with that but these two defense are equal in my opinion, so they cancel each other out. The next logical question is, which team has the better quarterback and I believe the answer to that question is the Packers. Fans will not have to wait very long for all of the answer because we are about 30 hours away from kickoff tomorrow night at 6:30 PM EST. Everyone here at the nygreporter would like to wish both teams the very best of luck. So the only question left to ask is, are you ready for some football?
Who do you think will win Super Bowl XLV and what will the final score be? My final score prediction is Packers 34 – Steelers 27.
RD – nygreporter.com
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Posted by robdomaine
January 27, 2011
NEW YORK – The strength of the pack is the wolf. This is a very old military term that explains how the strength of a unit, depends upon the strength of each individual within the unit. The military and the NFL have many similarities to them and are often compared in analogies. Teams of men go to war on the field of battle and all of that. The other side of that coin concerns results and what derives from those results. Does the act of winning release endorphins in the brain that elevate the man to an omnipotent experience with the universe? I’m not sure because I’ve never played football at the professional level but this topic certainly deserves further investigation.
What brings a player to a personal state of Zen? Does it occur during the NFL Draft when they hear their name called? Perhaps, when a player arrives at minicamp or training camp and they see their name on a locker or jersey? Is it that first preseason game or regular season game when the ball is snapped? Is it the development process or working out and practicing? Is it getting voted into the Pro Bowl? Or does it simply and only come from winning a Super Bowl? I have just mentioned a bunch of tremendous “moments” in a players career but I’m not sure if any of them pinpoint the exact moment when Zen is reached. The only one that makes sense would be winning the Super Bowl but even then, is it that moment when the stage in on the fifty yard line and the trophy is hoisted up or is at the moment when the last second ticks off the clock? It could even be further down the road when a player finally receives his Super Bowl ring. Who knows?
It’s hard to separate the money players make from their achievements on the field because one dictates the other. The famous basketball coach Phil Jackson introduced Zen to his players and they seemed to turn out alright. He created a culture that was less about money and more about state of mind and won championships. Perhaps, it is more of a constant state of Zen, then any actual moment that occurs and then leaves. I’m not sure about that theory though. I do not see how a football player can be in a constant state of Zen when their very job is to cause violence. It would seem more likely to me that they reach that euphoric state from reflecting on winning and what they have accomplished on the field of battle. I don’t know how someone can feel at perfect peace and bliss with the world, when a 265 pound man is trying to rip your head off. I guess the only people on earth who truly know the answer to these questions are the players themselves. How many of them have separated ego from true happiness can be debated but I’m hopeful at least one player has taken their mind and game to the ultimate level.
What are your thoughts about this topic and do you think a state of Zen can be reached through playing NFL football?
RD – nygreporter.com
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Posted by robdomaine
January 24, 2011
NEW YORK – I envy the final two teams standing tall after a rough season. The Green Bay Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV and their fans must be having a blast! It doesn’t feel like it’s been four years since the Giants won Super Bowl XLII but it has been. The Packers beat the Bears to advance while the Steelers finally shut up the talkative Jets. All four of these teams deserve some respect for making it as far as they did during the 2010 NFL season. We must also congratulate the Packers and Steelers for getting to the big game and we wish them both luck.
The NFL Pro Bowl will be played next weekend in Hawaii, since NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, changed the game format to have the Pro Bowl played before the marquee Super Bowl. With the collective bargaining agreement looming in the wings, football fans may want to sit back and really enjoy these final two games of the season. Things could be a lot different come the beginning of the 2011 NFL season. I know it will be hard to watch the Pro Bowl with its lack of meaning but just try and enjoy it if you can.
I have to admit that I am gloating internally a bit because I picked the Green Bay Packers to win it all this year. They haven’t completed my prediction yet but they are in the Super Bowl and one win way from being the NFL Champions. If any of our readers would like in-depth Green Bay Packers coverage, I would suggest you check out my friend Jersey Al’s Packers website, Home. I expect this Super Bowl to be a throw back of the classic days of football. Both of these teams match up very well and I truly expect it to be a battle. I’m not sure if it will be a shoot out or a defensive game yet. All signs point to a low scoring defensive battle but things could very easily go the other way with these two outstanding offenses. As I mentioned, I will be rooting for the Packers and the NFC to take the Lombardi trophy home.
The Super Bowl will be played on February 6, 2011 at 6:30 PM EST in Cowboys stadium.
RD – nygreporter.com
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6 Comments | 2010 New York Giants, 2010 NFL Regular Season, 2011 NFL Playoffs, Big Blue, Chris Mara, East Rutherford, Eli Manning, G-Men, Giants, Giants Coaches, Giants Draft, Giants Front Office, Giants Roster, Giants Stadium, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Jonathan Tisch, Justin Tuck, Kevin Gilbride, New Jersey, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL New York Giants, NFL Playoffs, NFL Pro Bowl, NFL Super Bowl, NY Giants, NYG, NYG Blog, NYG Draft, NYG Exclusive, NYG Playoffs, NYG Pro Bowl, NYG Reporter, NYG Reporter Sports Special, NYG Story, NYG Super Bowl, NYG Website, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Steve Tisch, Super Bowl XLII, Super Bowl XLV, Tom Coughlin, Tom Quinn | Tagged: 2010 New York Giants, 2011 New York Giants, 2011 super bowl, Big Blue, blogs giants, blogs nyg, Eli Manning, Football, football giants blog, G-Men, giants blog, Giants Stadium, giants website, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Kevin Gilbride, National Football League, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, New York Giants blog, New York Giants blogs, New York Giants Website, NFC, NFC East, NFL, ny giants blog, ny giants blogs, ny giants website, NYG, nyg blog, nyg blogs, NYG Reporter, nygreporter, packers vs steelers, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Players, Prospects, sb xlv, steelers vs packers, Steve Tisch, Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLV, Tim Mara, Tom Coughlin, website ny giants, website nyg | Permalink
Posted by robdomaine
January 20, 2011
NEW YORK – The New York Giants need help on special teams and the sooner the better. There have been no reports about any coaching changes or news of any plans to make changes. I am surprised by this because I thought the team would address the special teams squad a week after their season ended. The future of punter Matt Dodge has not been discussed yet and the continued employment of special teams coach Tom Quinn has yet to be determined. Trust me, fans are paying close attention to both of these situations.
I do not believe that Coach Quinn’s job security should be contingent upon the leg of a rookie punter, let me be clear about that. If the woes were strictly limited to poor punting then I would focus solely on the punter but it was much worse then that. The special teams gave up big plays, gave up TD’s and made some boneheaded mistakes. It was painful to watch them on the field and I would cringe every time they lined up for a punt or kick. The return game was no better. The Giants went through a bunch of return men, including bringing in talent mid-season with Reynaud and Blackmon. It feels like Big Blue went through a dozen different returners by the time the regular season was over. This lack of consistency contributed to the team having one of their worst seasons ever on special teams. It was certainly one of the worst I can remember.
I mentioned possibly drafting a return specialist in the 7th round of the 2011 NFL draft (using the last pick). Some people think it is a good idea and some weren’t so sure about it. I made sure to include the stipulation that the return specialist should be a cornerback or wide receiver only. This way they could also double as depth to those crucial positions next year. I have not forgotten that WR Domenik Hixon will be back for 2011 but the truth is that we don’t know how well he will perform after coming back from an injury. I hope he is fully healthy and can be better then ever but I’m not willing to endure another season like 2010 on special teams and would like to hedge all bets. I’m sure that Coach Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese are very concerned about this group and will have the best possible talent on the field by the time the 2011 Giants training camp rolls around.
One position the team will not have to worry about for a while is long snapper. The Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie was named to his second Pro Bowl today and will be the 5th Giant named to the Pro Bowl this year. DeOssie has played his entire career in New York since being drafted by the Giants in 2007.
What changes can be made during the offseason to help the Giants special teams improve in 2011?
RD – nygreporter.com
PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!
5 Comments | 2010 New York Giants, 2010 NFL Regular Season, 2011 New York Giants, 2011 NFL Draft, 2011 NFL Regular Season, 2011 NFL Training Camp, Big Blue, Chris Mara, East Rutherford, Eli Manning, G-Men, Giants, Giants Coaches, Giants Draft, Giants Front Office, Giants Roster, Giants Stadium, Giants Transactions, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Jonathan Tisch, Justin Tuck, Kevin Gilbride, New Jersey, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL New York Giants, NY Giants, NYG, NYG Blog, NYG Draft, NYG Exclusive, NYG Fantasy Football, NYG Regular Season, NYG Reporter, NYG Story, NYG Training Camp, NYG Website, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Steve Tisch, Tom Coughlin, Tom Quinn | Tagged: 2010 New York Giants, 2011 draft giants pick, 2011 Giants Draft, 2011 New York Giants, 2011 New York Giants Draft, 2011 NFL Draft, 2011 nfl draft order, 2011 NFL Preseason, 2011 NFL Regular Season, 2011 NFL Training Camp, 2011 nyg draft, Big Blue, blogs giants, blogs nyg, Eli Manning, Football, football giants blog, G-Men, giants blog, Giants Stadium, giants website, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Kevin Gilbride, National Football League, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, New York Giants blog, New York Giants blogs, New York Giants Website, NFC, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, ny giants 2011 draft, ny giants blog, ny giants blogs, ny giants draft 2011, ny giants website, NYG, nyg blog, nyg blogs, NYG Reporter, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Players, Steve Tisch, Tim Mara, Tom Coughlin, website ny giants, website nyg | Permalink
Posted by robdomaine
January 19, 2011
First of all, let me begin by saying Happy New Year to everyone because I know it has been some time since my last post. However, I had to allow the reality of the New York Giants missing the playoffs this year to marinate. Reality has finally set in and the ill feeling has subsided. At this point, all we can do is take a look back at the 2010 season and try to learn from it, understanding that our playoff absence is deserved. Many Giants fans have a strong understanding of why we missed the post season and many others are still in denial. There is no need for perceptions or assumptions. It is what it is!
Why aren’t we playing in the NFC Championship game? Many factors have stopped Big Blue short of their goals but I will list just a few. Mental and physical mistakes? Take a look back at the Eagles game. The Giants pride themselves on defensive schemes. More importantly, the execution of the scheme is a priority for success. In the last 8 minutes of the 4th quarter, many of the players seemed to be confused and out of position. Poor tackling allowed Michael Vick to be elusive and gain extra yards on 3rd and longs. Deion Grant attempts what looked like a sure sack and Michael Vick blows right by him. Kenny Phillips has to make a play on the TE and if he can’t defend the pass, then all he has to do is make the tackle. Instead, Phillips gambles and allows a touchdown. The Eagles then have the Giants in the red zone. Terrell Thomas gives the opposing Wide Receivers so much of a cushion, the play ends in either a sure touchdown or a setup for a goal line score. The above examples are just a few that contributed to the 2010 collapse in my opinion.
What do I see in the future? Well, the Collective Bargaining Agreement will dictate so much next season. However, let’s take a look at what we have now. We must re-sign Kiwanuka! Also, take care of Ahmad Bradshaw and Barry Cofield, two huge team contributors. Steve Smith has great chemistry and continuity with Eli Manning and should stay. We must keep our WR corps intact and a potent threat to defenses. Not only a threat on the field but a headache for other teams when they have to prepare and game plan. Retain the playmakers that we have because they know the coaches and the system. That is an advantage for any NFL team.
What should we look for in the draft? Honestly, I realize that we need help at the Linebacker spot but I don’t believe it’s an immediate need. I strongly believe we should take a strong cornerback in the first round. We have a strong front four and everyone in the league knows this but in order to be a shutdown defense you need a strong secondary. We have great safety help but we don’t have any shutdown corners. With our first pick in the 2011 draft a strong corner is recommended. I believe we have young talent at the Linebacker position that can be groomed. I still believe in Gerris Wilkinson and the speed of Clint Sintim. We also have a sleeper on the practice squad roster by the name of Kenny Ingram out of Florida State. Just my synopsis from my General Manager mindset. Keep the faith Giants fans!
“Heaven Yeah”
Andrew G. – nygreporter.com
4 Comments | 2011 New York Giants, 2011 NFL Draft, Big Blue, East Rutherford, Eli Manning, G-Men, Giants, Giants Coaches, Giants Draft, Giants Roster, Giants Stadium, Justin Tuck, Kevin Gilbride, New Jersey, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, NFC East, NFL, NFL New York Giants, NY Giants, NYG, NYG Blog, NYG Draft, NYG Regular Season, NYG Reporter, NYG Story, NYG Update, NYG Website, nygreporter, Perry Fewell, Tom Coughlin, Tom Quinn | Tagged: 2011 Giants Draft, 2011 New York Giants, 2011 NFL Draft, Big Blue, blogs giants, blogs nyg, Eli Manning, Football, football giants blog, G-Men, giants blog, Giants Stadium, giants website, Jerry Reese, Kevin Gilbride, National Football League, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, New York Giants blog, New York Giants blogs, New York Giants Website, NFC, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, ny giants blog, ny giants blogs, ny giants website, NYG, nyg blog, nyg blogs, NYG Reporter, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Players, Prospects, Tom Coughlin, website ny giants, website nyg | Permalink
Posted by apollojewels
January 18, 2011
NEW YORK – Why? That is the biggest question I ask myself when I hear about players talking in public about house business. I honestly wish Antrel Rolle could somehow reply to this story and tell us exactly what happened because players usually say their words were taken out of context. Until Rolle replies publicly about this, we have no choice but to take what he said from reliable writers and sources as the truth. I just shake my head every time I hear about a player talking about their feelings in public, when will these players learn to just keep their mouths shut in public?
Now when I say players should keep their mouths shut, I am talking about them keeping their mouths shut to the press. I am talking about their personal feelings on another player or coach remaining private. This is not how New York football handles their business and the fans are beginning to get annoyed with Rolle. He is speaking to the press too much about Big Blue for someone who has only been on the team for one year. He happens to be dissing head coach Tom Coughlin, the only coach other then Bill Parcells to bring a Lombardi trophy to New York, since Super Bowl wins were recorded. I am in awe that Rolle would have the nerve to tell the press that Coughlin needs to lighten up because he feels it is effecting his fun. Your fun? Really Antrel?
You know what is fun? Winning a Super Bowl is fun. Playing a season without 16 players landing on the IR List and not turning the ball over 42 times is fun. The Giants are a dangerous team when they are healthy and their second stringers aren’t making mental errors because of a lack of real playing time. The good news is that the Giants are now deep with players who have real game experience under their belts. But Antrel needs to calm down. He is a fan favorite and the players seem to respect him but he will learn what happens to people in New York who like to talk to much. This isn’t Arizona and the fans in New York do not like talkers. He does not want to become a pariah like Tiki Barber has to fans.
I was equally surprised to hear that Kenny Phillips got into the mix and offered some equally judgmental comments. Phillips has been in town much longer then Rolle and I expect him to know better then that. The team stuck by Phillips when he was dealing with a serious injury and he must know that Coach Coughlin had the final word on all of that. All I have to say to Kenny is, come on man.
My advice to Antrel Rolle is simple, the fans have accepted you, shown you love and respect your game on the field. Don’t take the weight of this city on your back because you can’t keep your personal opinions to yourself. You are not bigger then New York or the history of the Giants organization. Take it down a notch and enjoy the fact that you are playing on a solid 10-6 team that had some misfortune in 2010 but will be better in 2011. Think of the millions of New Yorkers and people around the world for that matter, who have to go to work everyday (if they are lucky enough to have a job) in an environment without any fun. You’re better then that Antrel, I know you are.
What are your thoughts about safety Antrel Rolle voicing his personal opinions to the press about Head Coach Tom Coughlin?
RD – nygreporter.com
PLEASE SUPPORT THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT!!
3 Comments | 2011 New York Giants, 2011 NFL Draft, 2011 NFL Regular Season, Big Blue, Chris Mara, East Rutherford, Eli Manning, G-Men, Giants, Giants Coaches, Giants Draft, Giants Front Office, Giants Roster, Giants Stadium, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Jonathan Tisch, Justin Tuck, Kevin Gilbride, New Jersey, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL New York Giants, NY Giants, NYG, NYG Blog, NYG Draft, NYG Exclusive, NYG Fantasy Football, NYG Regular Season, NYG Reporter, NYG Story, NYG Update, NYG Website, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Steve Tisch, Tom Coughlin, Tom Quinn | Tagged: 2011 draft giants pick, 2011 Giants Draft, 2011 Giants draft order, 2011 New York Giants, 2011 New York Giants Draft, 2011 NFL Draft, 2011 nfl draft order, 2011 NFL Preseason, 2011 NFL Regular Season, 2011 NFL Training Camp, 2011 nyg draft, Antrel Rolle, antrel rolle coughlin, antrel rolle giants, Big Blue, blogs giants, blogs nyg, Eli Manning, Football, football giants blog, G-Men, giants blog, Giants safety antrel rolle, Giants Stadium, giants website, Jerry Reese, John Mara, Kenny Phillips, Kevin Gilbride, National Football League, New Meadowlands Stadium, New York Football Giants, New York Giants, New York Giants blog, New York Giants blogs, New York Giants Website, NFC, NFC East, NFL, NFL Draft, ny giants 2011 draft, ny giants blog, ny giants blogs, ny giants draft 2011, ny giants website, NYG, nyg antrel rolle, nyg blog, nyg blogs, NYG Reporter, nygreporter, Pat Hanlon, Perry Fewell, Players, Steve Tisch, Tim Mara, Tom Coughlin, website ny giants, website nyg | Permalink
Posted by robdomaine
NEW YORK – The Giants weren’t issue free at the running back position in 2010. In fact, it seems like each area had their own problems to deal with and the culmination of all of these seperate group issues lead to the disappointing absence of a playoff berth. Still, the injury bug was a black widow and decimated the team like a virus. We’ve discussed the lack of depth that was exposed due to all of the injuries and tried to put together a decent team to field with spare parts. I mean no disrespect to the backup players but there was clearly a decline in productivity on the field that could not be ignored.
nygreporter.com 